The Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog

The top ten breastfeeding stories of 2009

Here's my summary of the year's most significant stories related to breastfeeding.  If you're feeling nostalgic you can see my 2008, 2007, and 2006 summaries, too.

The Case Against Breastfeeding.  Probably the biggest ruckus in the breastfeeding world was caused by an article in the Atlantic Monthly, titled "The Case Against Breastfeeding," which essentially made the arguments that a) there is scant evidence for the superiority of breastfeeding over formula feeding, and b) breastfeeding "keeps women down."  You can read my response here if you like, as well as other reactions, from groups as influential as the American Academy of Pediatrics.  This article was followed by a similar one in the Times of London.

Far fewer people than those who read The Case Against Breastfeeding saw this article about Dr. Michael Kramer, one of the researchers whose work was cited in the article.  Described as "spitting tacks" over how his work was characterized, he says that his findings were "grossly misinterpreted," and that "there really isn't any controversy about which mode of feeding is more beneficial for the baby and the mother."  He called the articles "sensationalist" and accused the journalists of misquoting him in order to support their opinions.

Salma Hayek and "the latch heard round the world."  Salma Hayek turned even more heads than usual when she nursed a baby (not her own) while on a goodwill mission to Sierra Leone.  This ignited a debate about cross nursing, particularly of babies in need. For more of the year's celebrity breastfeeding stories, see this week's celebrity round-up guest post.

New HIV recommendations should reduce transmission through breastmilk in developing world.  In what may lead to a major advance in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV through breastfeeding, the World Health Organization is now recommending that mothers take antiretroviral drug therapy during the course of breastfeeding.  For a more thorough description of this policy change and its implications, see this post.  

Formula marketing issue heats up; plastics industry plots campaign to make us want to ingest BPA.  An eagle-eyed reader of this blog was the first to point out that a formula company website was using a page header calling their product "the breastmilk formula," and one formula company revealed a new "nightime formula" which is actually exactly the same as their "reflux formula" (added rice starch).  And notes from an industry meeting of plastic executives revealed that they considered launching a campaign to promote BPA, using a pregnant mother as their 'holy grail' spokesperson.

Recession hits breastfeeding support programs.  Around the country, breastfeeding support programs, became victims of the economic downturn.  One of the premier lactation programs on a university campus, UC Davis, wasn't immune, losing its breastpumps and lactation specialist support.

Breastfeeding and the law in the spotlight.  New laws were enacted, most notably for my state (Massachusetts).  And in some of the first judicial tests of lactation laws, an Ohio court case dodged the issue of whether pumping at work is protected under the state's pregnancy discrimination law, and a California employment commission found that it was illegal to fire a mother for breastfeeding on the job. 

Countries inch closer to using breastfed growth as the norm.  In the biggest practical endorsement yet of the World Health Organization's new growth charts which use the breastfed baby as the normative growth pattern, the U.K. largely adopted the charts for use in the National Health Service.  Next up, the American Academy of Pediatrics?  A girl can hope.

WIC changes food package to push exclusive breastfeeding.  I'll be publishing a guest post explaining this in more detail soon, but the news is that this year WIC began distributing an enhanced food package for mothers who breastfeed exclusively.  Exclusive breastfeeding moms now get the largest and most varied food package of all, and get the largest quantities and most varied baby foods once their babies turn 6 months old.  The hope is that these incentives will significantly improve the rate of exclusive breastfeeding among moms enrolled in WIC.

Best for Babes Foundation launches new ad campaign.  The Best for Babes Foundation created an attractive and persuasive new ad campaign, and the ads have appeared in national pregnancy magazines.  Best for Babes' advocates to eliminate the "booby traps" that stand in the way of breastfeeding success.

Toxins in breastmilk and formula in the news again.  Several studies were released on toxins in breastmilk and toxins in formula, and the blogosphere briefly became fixated on the question of whether toxins in breastmilk cause autism.  Want the facts?  See this post. 

Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.

Guest post: Kelly's 2009 celebrity roundup

I'm pleased to share another celebrity round-up from Kelly Prince.  Kelly is the mom of two breastfeeding graduates, Anabel 11, and Austin, 3 1/2, both of whom were both "too busy" to pose for a picture this year.  You can see her roundups from 2008 and 2007, too.

This was the first year I did not nurse my son at all. He self-weaned at Christmas last year, so it's a real treat for me to celebrate the nursing moms of 2009 and their nurslings in all their cozy preciousness!

Good Will Nursing
Let's start the roundup with "the latch heard round the world," Salma Hayek. While on a goodwill trip to Sierra Leone, Salma breastfed a very hungry baby boy whose own mother had no milk.  Sierra Leone has a high infant mortality rate, in part because of suboptimal breastfeeding.  Salma wanted to help dispel the pressure these mothers feel to stop breastfeeding, and thought her daughter (who she was still breastfeeding at the time) would definitely support her decision. "Am I being disloyal to my child by giving her milk away?" Hayek said. "I actually think my baby would be very proud to share her milk. And when she grows up I'm going to make sure she continues to be a generous, caring person."  Here's a link to the video.  It brought tears to my eyes.

Many Happy Returns!  We've got other many moms making the roundup for the second time.

I'm sure if Jennifer Garner and I ran in the same circles, we'd totally be best friends. :-) She's so down-to-earth, and her approach to motherhood seems so relaxed. Jennifer's slated to grace the cover of "W" magazine in January 2010's issue, (already on newstands) and inside the magazines pages, she discusses motherhood and nursing baby daughter Seraphina: “the coziest feeling in the whole world."  After nursing daughter Violet well into toddlerhood, Jennifer knows cozy!

Nicole Richie was featured here last year as nursing mom to daughter Harlow. Now, a year later, Harlow is on to potty training and new baby son Sparrow is the one nursing. While Dad Joel Madden muses Nicole doesn't have to do much to get her figure back, Nicole credits breastfeeding for her weight loss. "I’m breastfeeding, so that sucks the life out of you," she says. (I would have to agree it feels that way some days.)  Check out these pictures of Madden/Richie family courtesy of Celebrity Baby Blog.

Kelly Rutherford was nursing toddler son Hermés last time we checked in, and now she's nursing 6-month old daughter Helena Grace, and gives all the credit to her for the post-baby weight loss. “If I can fit into my jeans like this forever, all of my kids will be nursed for longer,” Kelly jokes.

Are You My "Mother?"
Adorable Alyson Hannigan who currently stars in "How I Met Your Mother" (but I remember her as "band camp" girl from American Pie) is favorite of mine. Here's Alyson discussing how daughter Satyana's mommy milk diet helped her return to her pre-baby figure in this videofrom People.com

Fashionursta
I confess. I adored Confessions of a Shopaholic. Isla Fisher's colorful, chic wardrobe inspired me to start wearing clothes with more pop. So how delighted was I to discover that her outfits were all breastfeeding friendly?! This high fashion that looked like the best of Project Runway was "all breastfeeding proof – they could be whipped off in a minute and then put back on," Isla explained. Isla gets more kudos for nursing past the one year mark with her daughter Olive. (Then) 15-month daughter Olive and Isla are were still going strong during the premiere of "Confessions" in February, and mom intends to go the distance. “I am still breastfeeding. I’m only going to stop when Olive goes to university." Well, maybe not quite that long, but no doubt Olive's nursing got Isla red-carpet ready. While she says she did work with a personal trainer, Isla believes breastfeeding helped her lose most of the 60 pounds she gained while pregnant.

Baby's Home-Kluming
Heidi Klum has her hands full with four little ones, including newborn daughter, Lou. Heidi finds having her baby close makes nursing easier. "At the moment Lou needs me enormously. Not only because of breastfeeding but also because she needs to be close to her mother. She will sleep now for a year with us in our bedroom - just as her siblings did. It's easier at night if she is hungry."  And, is it just me, or is Heidi even more gorgeous without makeup?

Other Notables:
As a huge Top Chef fan, I was delighted to hear that Chef Tom Collichio's newborn son is getting the best food ever, "He's only on breastmilk right now, " Tom explained. This meal will baby Luka's favorite menu item every time!

Nicole Kidman, who credits breastfeeding daughter Sunday for her voluptuous figure while shooting the movie Nine. "When you've had a slightly androgynous body your whole life, having breasts is a nice feeling."

With twins to feed, Julie Bowen (now starring in in the hit comedy Modern Family) takes every opportunity multitask, including pumping and driving. Unfortunately, she asked a police officer for directions, forgetting she was still attached to her pump. Sounds like a story line on her show!

This isn't a comprehensive list by far. If I've missed your favorite celebrity mom (or dad), post a comment and let us who and why!

Wishing you Happy Holidays and a 2010 filled with lots of (little) blessings!

Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.

Guest post: Christine on how to handle criticism while breastfeeding in public.

I'm pleased to share a post today by Christine Howell, a full time mother and freelancer who frequently writes about online degrees for Online College Guru.

So, you are a new mom and making your best attempt at breastfeeding your infant. You’re at home trying to nurse your new baby and struggling to get the baby to have that perfect latch. Finally, after multiple attempts, there's silence, no more screaming, your baby is eating and very happy!

Breastfeeding can be quite challenging at times, especially with new mothers. Since breast milk offers numerous benefits to newborns, many mothers want to pass those along to their baby. But it is not always possible to feed your infant in the comfort of your own home at all times. Babies are not aware of eating schedules and need to eat when they are feeling hunger, which could be anytime, anywhere. They depend on us to supply that food, along with the comfort and connection that is associated with breastfeeding.

So, maybe you are at the local library, mall or park and your baby is rooting and displaying other hunger cues and needs to eat now. It looks like you have to breastfeed in public. Despite your best efforts at getting your baby to latch on, your nervousness and lack of privacy is making you even more uncomfortable and many people are now looking your way. Some individuals are even making unpleasant faces at you, as if breastfeeding in public is a lewd act. How do you handle such criticism, particularly if you are a new mother?

Unfortunately, we live in a society where women are overly sexualized, in particular our breasts. Because of that mentality, many see breastfeeding in public almost as a crime. Despite laws stating that mothers are permitted to nurse their child in public, many mothers continue to receive negative reactions and comments from people and store owners.

There are many approaches to handle this criticism. First, try ignoring these disrespectful comments. Second, ask a question back or comment back to that individual and enlighten them about why breast milk is so vital for a baby’s development. There are also some ways that mothers can make themselves feel more comfortable about nursing in public. First, try practicing at home in front of a mirror. You will be able to see how much of your breast is showing (which is not much, because your baby practically covers you), and help decide whether or not to cover up more. A nursing canopy or nurse sling makes it comfortable for both baby and you while breastfeeding. Wearing a nursing bra and by wearing clothes that are suitable to nurse makes it easier to breastfeed your baby. You will not be exposing too much while out in public and also these clothing items will make you feel more comfortable, thus setting your baby at ease and will be more easy to feed.

Sometimes there is just too much noise or too many distractions in public for the baby and you may need to have the baby latch on in private first. Finally, by socializing with other breastfeeding mothers, will enable you to seek out any advice and or suggestions regarding breastfeeding in public.

Having that confidence about breastfeeding in public will show other mothers that they have support and can nurse their babies in public also. The more mothers that breastfeed their babies in public, the more society will accept that as the norm.

Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.

Here's something else to be grateful for: not having to wear a corset while you're breastfeeding.

I was doing a search on Wikimedia for breastfeeding and found these images of patents filed for nursing corsets. 

I'm certainly no costume expert, but I do know that during the Victorian era, when these corsets were patented, modern formula had yet to be invented and widely used, and breastfeeding was the norm. 

So it makes sense that if you have wear one of these things you'd need a way to access the breast without taking several layers of clothing off.  Still looks like a lot of trouble to me. 

If you Google 'nursing corset' you'll find a lot of other examples.

Source: Wikimedia Commons.  Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.

The New Zealand Ministry of Health has launched a new national breastfeeding promotion campaign with some great posters, radio spots, social media, a DVD update, and photo competition.

I thought you'd like to see some of the posters.  They all depict mothers of different ethnicities nursing in public.  You can see the rest of them here.  The new videos, are available on You Tube here.

Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.

A breastfeeding group in Massachusetts is proposing a hand signal women could use to express support of mothers breastfeeding in public.

You can see a video explanation here (fast forward to 3:00 for the signal), but the essence is a combination of the "thumbs up" sign and the sign for milk (opening and closing of the hand).

Do you do anything when you see another mom nursing in public?  Smile?  Stop and say something?  And what do you think of this signal?

Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.

For a few years I volunteered at the nursing mothers' lounge at The Big E, the multi-state New England fair held in Massachusetts each September.  It's a big fair - more than 1.2 million people attended this year.

When I've posted about this a number of you have commented that you wish you had something like this at your own fair.  So I asked Lezlie, the La Leche League leader responsible for organizing the lounge, to answer a few questions about how she does it.  Her responses are below.

Can you describe the nursing mothers' lounge at the Big E?  What does it look like, and how does it work? 

The Nursing Mothers' Lounge is a quiet place in the New England Center where mothers can relax in comfy chairs to nurse their babies.  There is also a changing table available.  The space is surrounded by curtains, open at one end, to ensure privacy.

 

How many mothers use the station, and what kinds of comments do they make about it?

 

The mothers that have used the area are very grateful for a chance to get away from the crowds for a little quiet nursing time.  In the past few years, we've had over 1000 mothers either use our booth or stop by to ask questions or take information.  This year our numbers were down to about 700 but that was because I wasn't able to fill all the time slots with volunteers.  The moms were still there, but we just didn't get to count them.

 

How did this station get established?

 

Four years ago the Big E contacted me as a representative of La Leche League, to see if we would staff the Nursing Mothers' Lounge.  In past years, they had the space available, but there was a real problem with privacy. People that should not have been in the booth were, and others were peeking through the curtains.  The Big E felt it was important to provide a private space for those that wanted it.  Woman are still able to nurse anywhere on the fairgrounds, but for those that don't want to, this space is there.

 

How do you manage the setting up and staffing of the station?

 

I have been collecting old upholstered chairs for a few years now, and the Big E has been able to let me store them in the New England Center for the winter.  Chapin's Furniture also donates the changing table and a rocking chair.  The Big E provides the carpet, the curtains and the table space.  I am able to come in a few days before the fair starts to set up the booth.

 

Staffing is the challenging part. Mid summer I start emailing LLL Leaders and people that have volunteered in the past.  This year I set up a Google calendar so that volunteers could see which time slots were open. I am able to give out a free ticket and parking pass to anyone who helps for 4 hours or more.  I can put 2 people on at a time so I always encourage people to bring a friend.  As the date of the fairs gets closer, I start asking people to spread the word to other groups that might be able to help.  In the past we've gotten volunteers from mothering support groups and WIC.

 

Is there any advice you'd give to others who would like to set up a station at their own fairs?

 

Be sure that you and the fair organizers are on the same page.  You may want to email your comments so you have written documentation of things promised. The first year I did this, there were staffing changes which led to misunderstandings for the next two years.

Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.

 

Some of you may remember the case of Emily Gillette, who was kicked off a Delta/Freedom Airlines plane for breastfeeding in 2007.  It lead to protests at Delta counters at many airports around the country.

The Burlington Free Press reported then:

Gillette said she was seated in the second-to-last row, next to the window, when she began to breast-feed her daughter. Breast-feeding helps babies with the altitude changes through takeoff and landings, Gillette said. She said she was being discreet -- her husband was seated between her and the aisle -- and no part of her breast was showing.

Gillette said that's when a flight attendant approached her, trying to hand her a blanket and directing her to cover up. Gillette said she told the attendant she was exercising her legal right to breast-feed, declining the blanket. That's when Gillette alleges the attendant told her, "You are offending me," and told her to cover up her daughter's head with the blanket.

"I declined," Gillette said in her complaint.

Moments later, a Delta ticket agent approached the Gillettes and said that the flight attendant was having the family removed from the flight.

Gillette said she didn't raise her voice -- not wanting to make a scene in the current jumpy air travel atmosphere -- and complied with the ticket agent, crying as she exited the plane.

In 2008 the Vermont Human Rights Commission found that Freedom Airlines had discriminated against Gillette.  Though the flight Gillette was taking was a code-share between Delta Airlines and Freedom Airlines, the Commission did not charge Delta with discrimination.  The parties were given six months in which to reach a settlement agreement. 

According to the Burlington Free Press, negotiations to reach a settlement collapsed, and Gillette filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Burlington. 

Want more information on breastfeeding and the law?  Check out this podcast interview with Jake Marcus, J.D.

Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.

A few weeks ago I announced a contest in which you'd send in pictures of breastfeeding stickers you've seen in public places and be entered to win a $25 gift certificate.

So far I've received very few entries.  So I'm extending the deadline until October 9th.  

Send me your pictures of breastfeeding stickers or signs posted at public places and establishments  - like shops, offices, parks, etc.  Try to get a shot of the place itself, if you can.  I'll post all of the pictures I receive, and will pick three runners up to receive our breastfeeding coalition's 'breastfeeding welcome here' sticker.

When you send a picture you'll be entered into the contest.  Send your picture by October 9th, 2009.  The winner will be picked by random.org and posted in the comments section.  U.S. addresses only, please.  Please note that by sending it in you give permission to have it posted on the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog. 

Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.

...we all can do without.

This story from Australia was so ridiculous it made me laugh: 

A Melbourne mother says she was left in tears after a Tiger Airways flight attendant repeatedly asked her to hide her breastfeeding baby from other passengers on a flight earlier this month.

Kathryn Ward said she was feeding her three-month-old son, James, on a flight between the Gold Coast and Melbourne when a crew member asked her if she had a blanket to cover him.

''I didn't say anything because at the same time she asked me she saw a padded insert underneath him and put it on top of him without asking my permission,'' Mrs Ward said. ''She said, 'I know it's natural, but some people may not like to see it.' ''

Mrs Ward said she told the attendant that she had a right to breastfeed, but was asked again to cover her baby because a man seated near her ''might not like to see it''.

''I said to [the man], 'Does this offend you?' and he said, 'No, not at all.' [The flight attendant] said, 'Well, people walking down the aisle might not like it.' ''

You can't fault this woman for lack of imagination.

The Airline is planning an apology to the mother, the flight attendant has been disciplined, and the airline is instituting a new policy.  They stated: ''All relevant staff will undergo training immediately to ensure this situation does not occur again.''

Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.

Nursing wear in the era of corsets

Here's something else to be grateful for: not having to wear a corset while you're breastfeeding.

I was doing a search on Wikimedia for breastfeeding and found these images of patents filed for nursing corsets. 

I'm certainly no costume expert, but I do know that during the Victorian era, when these corsets were patented, modern formula had yet to be invented and widely used, and breastfeeding was the norm. 

So it makes sense that if you have wear one of these things you'd need a way to access the breast without taking several layers of clothing off.  Still looks like a lot of trouble to me. 

If you Google 'nursing corset' you'll find a lot of other examples.

Source: Wikimedia Commons.  Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.

New Zealand launches breastfeeding campaign with new posters.

The New Zealand Ministry of Health has launched a new national breastfeeding promotion campaign with some great posters, radio spots, social media, a DVD update, and photo competition.

I thought you'd like to see some of the posters.  They all depict mothers of different ethnicities nursing in public.  You can see the rest of them here.  The new videos, are available on You Tube here.

Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.

A "milk's up" sign.

A breastfeeding group in Massachusetts is proposing a hand signal women could use to express support of mothers breastfeeding in public.

You can see a video explanation here (fast forward to 3:00 for the signal), but the essence is a combination of the "thumbs up" sign and the sign for milk (opening and closing of the hand).

Do you do anything when you see another mom nursing in public?  Smile?  Stop and say something?  And what do you think of this signal?

Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.

Want to set up a nursing mothers' lounge at your fair? Here's some advice from a pro.

For a few years I volunteered at the nursing mothers' lounge at The Big E, the multi-state New England fair held in Massachusetts each September.  It's a big fair - more than 1.2 million people attended this year.

When I've posted about this a number of you have commented that you wish you had something like this at your own fair.  So I asked Lezlie, the La Leche League leader responsible for organizing the lounge, to answer a few questions about how she does it.  Her responses are below.

Can you describe the nursing mothers' lounge at the Big E?  What does it look like, and how does it work? 

The Nursing Mothers' Lounge is a quiet place in the New England Center where mothers can relax in comfy chairs to nurse their babies.  There is also a changing table available.  The space is surrounded by curtains, open at one end, to ensure privacy.

 

How many mothers use the station, and what kinds of comments do they make about it?

 

The mothers that have used the area are very grateful for a chance to get away from the crowds for a little quiet nursing time.  In the past few years, we've had over 1000 mothers either use our booth or stop by to ask questions or take information.  This year our numbers were down to about 700 but that was because I wasn't able to fill all the time slots with volunteers.  The moms were still there, but we just didn't get to count them.

 

How did this station get established?

 

Four years ago the Big E contacted me as a representative of La Leche League, to see if we would staff the Nursing Mothers' Lounge.  In past years, they had the space available, but there was a real problem with privacy. People that should not have been in the booth were, and others were peeking through the curtains.  The Big E felt it was important to provide a private space for those that wanted it.  Woman are still able to nurse anywhere on the fairgrounds, but for those that don't want to, this space is there.

 

How do you manage the setting up and staffing of the station?

 

I have been collecting old upholstered chairs for a few years now, and the Big E has been able to let me store them in the New England Center for the winter.  Chapin's Furniture also donates the changing table and a rocking chair.  The Big E provides the carpet, the curtains and the table space.  I am able to come in a few days before the fair starts to set up the booth.

 

Staffing is the challenging part. Mid summer I start emailing LLL Leaders and people that have volunteered in the past.  This year I set up a Google calendar so that volunteers could see which time slots were open. I am able to give out a free ticket and parking pass to anyone who helps for 4 hours or more.  I can put 2 people on at a time so I always encourage people to bring a friend.  As the date of the fairs gets closer, I start asking people to spread the word to other groups that might be able to help.  In the past we've gotten volunteers from mothering support groups and WIC.

 

Is there any advice you'd give to others who would like to set up a station at their own fairs?

 

Be sure that you and the fair organizers are on the same page.  You may want to email your comments so you have written documentation of things promised. The first year I did this, there were staffing changes which led to misunderstandings for the next two years.

Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.

 

Mother kicked off plane for breastfeeding sues Delta.

Some of you may remember the case of Emily Gillette, who was kicked off a Delta/Freedom Airlines plane for breastfeeding in 2007.  It lead to protests at Delta counters at many airports around the country.

The Burlington Free Press reported then:

Gillette said she was seated in the second-to-last row, next to the window, when she began to breast-feed her daughter. Breast-feeding helps babies with the altitude changes through takeoff and landings, Gillette said. She said she was being discreet -- her husband was seated between her and the aisle -- and no part of her breast was showing.

Gillette said that's when a flight attendant approached her, trying to hand her a blanket and directing her to cover up. Gillette said she told the attendant she was exercising her legal right to breast-feed, declining the blanket. That's when Gillette alleges the attendant told her, "You are offending me," and told her to cover up her daughter's head with the blanket.

"I declined," Gillette said in her complaint.

Moments later, a Delta ticket agent approached the Gillettes and said that the flight attendant was having the family removed from the flight.

Gillette said she didn't raise her voice -- not wanting to make a scene in the current jumpy air travel atmosphere -- and complied with the ticket agent, crying as she exited the plane.

In 2008 the Vermont Human Rights Commission found that Freedom Airlines had discriminated against Gillette.  Though the flight Gillette was taking was a code-share between Delta Airlines and Freedom Airlines, the Commission did not charge Delta with discrimination.  The parties were given six months in which to reach a settlement agreement. 

According to the Burlington Free Press, negotiations to reach a settlement collapsed, and Gillette filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Burlington. 

Want more information on breastfeeding and the law?  Check out this podcast interview with Jake Marcus, J.D.

Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.

Aren't there any breastfeeding stickers out there?

A few weeks ago I announced a contest in which you'd send in pictures of breastfeeding stickers you've seen in public places and be entered to win a $25 gift certificate.

So far I've received very few entries.  So I'm extending the deadline until October 9th.  

Send me your pictures of breastfeeding stickers or signs posted at public places and establishments  - like shops, offices, parks, etc.  Try to get a shot of the place itself, if you can.  I'll post all of the pictures I receive, and will pick three runners up to receive our breastfeeding coalition's 'breastfeeding welcome here' sticker.

When you send a picture you'll be entered into the contest.  Send your picture by October 9th, 2009.  The winner will be picked by random.org and posted in the comments section.  U.S. addresses only, please.  Please note that by sending it in you give permission to have it posted on the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog. 

Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.

Some kind of help is the kind of help...

...we all can do without.

This story from Australia was so ridiculous it made me laugh: 

A Melbourne mother says she was left in tears after a Tiger Airways flight attendant repeatedly asked her to hide her breastfeeding baby from other passengers on a flight earlier this month.

Kathryn Ward said she was feeding her three-month-old son, James, on a flight between the Gold Coast and Melbourne when a crew member asked her if she had a blanket to cover him.

''I didn't say anything because at the same time she asked me she saw a padded insert underneath him and put it on top of him without asking my permission,'' Mrs Ward said. ''She said, 'I know it's natural, but some people may not like to see it.' ''

Mrs Ward said she told the attendant that she had a right to breastfeed, but was asked again to cover her baby because a man seated near her ''might not like to see it''.

''I said to [the man], 'Does this offend you?' and he said, 'No, not at all.' [The flight attendant] said, 'Well, people walking down the aisle might not like it.' ''

You can't fault this woman for lack of imagination.

The Airline is planning an apology to the mother, the flight attendant has been disciplined, and the airline is instituting a new policy.  They stated: ''All relevant staff will undergo training immediately to ensure this situation does not occur again.''

Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.